Directed by: Ted Post
Starring: James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, and Charlton Heston
Reviewer: Brett Gallman
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Reviewer's Rating: **½ (Two and One Half Stars)
Our exploration of an ape-ruled Earth continues not with George Taylor (Charlton Heston, who quite literally disappears early on), but with John Brent (James Fransciscus), who has been sent to rescue his fellow astronaut (for reasons unknown, really--it’s not like anyone on Earth could have known he was in peril). At any rate, Brent stumbles upon the same primate civilization, who is now hell-bent on marching on the “Forbidden Zone” even though it could start a huge war. This first Apes sequel is mostly a retread, as we watch Brent go through the same motions as his predecessor, which means he spends a lot of time talking to the mute Nova (Linda Harrison), Taylor’s female companion from the first film. It’s about as thrilling as it sounds, and the film doesn’t really pick up until our protagonist goes where the title promises.
What he finds down there is interesting to say the least and requires him to talk to himself even more; it turns out there are other humans left on Earth, and they’re mutated telepaths who literally worship an atomic bomb (as if this series couldn’t get any more heavy-handed). Though there are some great, eerie shots of Brent and Nova navigating the underground post-apocalyptic wasteland here, the film loses its focus big time, as the titular apes all but drop out from the narrative. Heston does return, but his scenes only serve to highlight how utterly dull the rest of the film has been without him; his hammy presence is at least earnest, whereas much of the film (outside of the fine special effects) is not.
Fortunately, this film does retain some of the thematic underpinnings in its musings on war, idolatry, and intellectual stagnation. I also dare say the film’s ending is just as impacting as the previous film’s, if not more so. If anything, it’ll leave you wondering how they followed with 3 more sequels. Stick around for them--they (mostly) get better.
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